Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle, overactive bladder, and initial compensable rating for right forearm tendonitis have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for right ulnar sensory axonal neuropathy above the elbow (Thoracic outlet syndrome) and right shoulder disabilities.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right elbow disability is granted. The claims for respiratory and right shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle sprain has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for right shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative changes, but the claim for left thoracic lipomatous mass (claimed as soft tissue sarcoma) is denied. The Veteran's left eye chronic photophobia and epiphora are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorders, left rib separation, bilateral glaucoma, and numbness of the hands, have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 5, 2012 for PTSD is granted. An evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD is granted from that date. The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as his PTSD alone meets the schedular criteria for a 100% rating. SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) is granted due to the Veteran's PTSD, which causes him to require daily supervision for activities of daily living.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his TDIU claim is granted.,The Veteran's herniated lumbar disc/intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and missing medical records, including those from the March 2012 injury. The Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) need to be verified, as well as any relevant treatment records.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability. The claims are now remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, a right hand disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) need further examination and evidence to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to duty-to-assist errors. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, respiratory disability (sinusitis), right shoulder disability, left hand and finger anesthesia, left little finger fracture, left thumb fracture, and cervical spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hand and shoulder injuries, diabetes mellitus type II, and malaria, have rendered him unable to secure or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The claim for a heart condition has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claims for right and left ankle disabilities have been reopened based on the submission of new evidence, but service connection is denied as there is no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has not been shown to be related to service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Diabetic retinopathy was not documented during service or within one year after separation and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,A kidney condition was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,Vertigo has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not documented during service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Gout was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,A lung disability manifested by spots in the lung has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Neurological condition manifested by tremors has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left shoulder disability was not diagnosed in service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Hypertension did not have its onset during service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Erectile dysfunction was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left hip disability and right ear condition (manifested by swelling and drainage) were not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking them to service. Service connection is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome has not resulted in limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level, thus a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased PTSD rating is dismissed. Service connection for a right shoulder AC joint disorder and initial compensable rating for tension headaches are granted, but the issue of service connection for a fifth right shoulder scar remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability and denied service connection for it. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her service-connected neck, right upper extremity, thigh, shoulder, and thoracic spine disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his attorney.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Board found that his condition more closely approximates limitation of motion to half way between the side and shoulder level.